Rail crossover



April 7, 1931. s. R. DEACON 1,799,833

RAIL CROS SQVER Filed Dec. 31, 1930 l \A 8 I 1 L INVENTOR. i 9

Patented Apr. 7, 1931 PATENT OFFICE SIDNEY R. BEACON, 013 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA RAIL CROSSOVER Application filed December 31, 1930.

This invention is a rail crossover for usual railway tracks in which adjacent rails of crossing tracks are each interrupted at their junction to permit passage of the flanged wheels of rolling stock moving along the other of the crossing tracks; and it is the object of the invention to provide a movable rail section adapted for shifting to bridge the interruption in either of the crossing rails, while leaving the interruption in the other of said rails non-obstructed for passage of said flanged wheels, thereby providing a continuous rail for either of the crossing tracks, in order that the wheels of rolling stock may roll smoothly over the crossing.

More particularly it is the object of the invention to operatively shift such a movable rail section through its impingement by the flanges of wheels approaching the crossing along the rail which it is desired to bridge, and to shift the movable rail section in a horizontal. plane for bridging one or the other of the crossing rails. It is a further object of the invention. to connect the movable rail section to leaf springs which cross one another, and which, when the rail section is in place, are bowed outwardly from the respective adjacent rails of the crossing tracks, so that the flanges of wheels approaching along either of said rails will compress the corresponding spring for shifting the movable rail section to a position bridging the interruption in said rail and at the same time clearing the interruption in the crossing rail.

It is a still further object of the invention to form the movable rail section and its springs as a unitary structure normally se-, surely held in operative position but readily removable for replacement, and also adapted to be released and thrown clear of the rails through its impingement by the wheels of rolling stock, in the event of shifting movement of the rail section to one or the other of its operative positions being arrested by extraneous matter clogging the rails.

Further objects of the invention will be readily understood from the following de- Serial No. 505,756.

scription of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of crossing tracks showing the improved rail crossover.

Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of adjacent rails of the crossingtracks.

Figs. 3 and 4: are vertical sections on the lines 33 and 44 respectively of Fig. 2.

The crossover is illustrated as employed in connection with tracks A and B crossing at right angles, and respectively comprising transversely spaced rails 1, each having a vertical guide 2 laterally spaced from its inner edge so as to define a groove 3 for the usual flanges of wheels moving along the rails, and each interrupted at the junction of adjacent rails of tracks A and B as shown at 4, so that the flanged wheels of rolling stock may move along the rails of either track.

A movable rail section 5 is slidable on the bases of the grooves 3 at each junction of adjacent rails of tracks A and B, and said movable rail section normally centrally positioned in the space defined by the j unction of grooves 3 as shown at the top of Fig. 1, but is adapted to be laterally shifted for bridging the interruption 4 in the rail of either track A or B and at the same time clearing the interruption 4 in the other oi? the adjacent rails as shown at the bottom of Fig. 1. The groove 3 of the rail which has had its interruption ibridged by the movable rail section is thus non-obstructed so that it is adapted for free passage of the flanges of wheels rolling along the bridged rail, with said bridged rail forming a continuous supporting surface for the flanged wheels so that they roll smoothly over the crossing. At the bottom of Fig. 1 the movable rail section 5 is shown shifted from its normal position and moved along the groove 3 of track A so as to bridge the interrupted rail of track B, it being understood that similar shifting of said rail section from its normal postion along the groove of track B will bridge the rail of track A.

The movable rail sections 5 are preferably yieldably projected to their normal position shown at the top of Fig. 1, with said projecting means adapted for impingement by the flanges of wheels approaching along either track A or B, so as to shift the movable rail sections for bridging the rails of whichever track is in use; and said projecting means and their respective movable rail sections preferably form unitary structures adapted to be readily mounted in operative position and as conveniently removed and replaced when worn.

As an instance of this arrznigen'ient a bowed leaf spring 6 is medially fixed at its concave surface to side of rail section 5, and a similar bowed spring 7 is medially fined at its concave surface to an adjacent side of rail section so that the springs 6 and 7 are a lapted for respective reception in the grooves 3 of adjacent rails of tracks A and B, with the ends of each spring pressing against the inner side of the proximate rail 1, and the medial portion of each spring abutting against the inner side of guide 2 of said pro"i1nate rail. Rail section 5 is thus normally positioned centrally of the space formed by the unction of grooves 3, with the convex surfaces the s1 rings acapted for impingement by the flanges of wheels approaching along the respective tracks, so to force the spring which is has engaged by the flanged wheels, back agai its rail 1 for positioning the rail section 5 in the space i which is formed in said rail; and as soon as the flanged wheels have moved beyond spring 6 or 7, the released spring is returned to normal bowed position by its inherent resiliency, so as to again centrally position the rail section 5.

The upper edges of springs G and 7 are preferably approximately flush with the up per surface of rail section 5, and in order that said springs shall not be in the way of the flanges of the wheels moving along either track A or B, the said springs are recessed at 8 alongside the rail section 5 and at such points that when the rail section 5 is shifted to bridge either of the adjacent rails of tracks A or B, the recess S of that spring 6 or 7 which received in the groove 3 of the non-bridged all, will aline with the groove 3 of the bridged rail so that the flanges of the wheels moving along the bridged rail may pass through said recess. The lower edges of the springs (3 and 7 preferably terminate short of the bases of grooves 33, and bearing strips 9 may be placed in sair grooves, preferably midway between the rail section 5 and the re spent ire ends of the sprin so as to form supports upon which the springs may slide, it being understood that the grooves 3 are of such depth and the strips 9 are of such thick-- ness that the flanges of the wheels moving along the rails will clear the bearing strips.

Each rail section 5 together with its springs (3 and 7 is preferably a unitary structure adapted for ready replacement when worn and securely held in operative position against the possibility of accidental d splacement, but preferably adapted to be knocked out of the grooves 3 of the adjacent rails of the crossing tracks, in the event of the spring which is engaged by the flanged wheels of approaching rolling stock becoming clogged and failing to yield for movement of the rail section 5 to position transversely clearing the groove of the rail along which the wheels are moving. For this purpose the ends of springs 6 and 7 may be notched at their upper edges as shown at 10, and said notched ends of the springs may slidably in elongated recesses 11 formed in the inner sides of rails 1 in spaced relation from their upper surfaces, so that the spring ends vertically abut against undercut shoulders 12 which are formed by the recesses ll. The spring ends are thus free to slide along the cooperating recesses for expansion and contraction of the springs, and at the same time the prings are held against accidental disengagement from the recesses, but may be readily disengaged for replacement of the crossover unit, by prying out anotched end of each of the springs from their cooperating recesses. If the springs become clogged so that the spring for that rail along which rolling stock is approaching, fails to yield when impinged by the flanges of the wheels, the force exerted by the flanged wheels against said non-yielding spring will tear the entire crossover unit from the grooves 3 and will throw it to one side out of the way so as not to arrest movement of the wheels along the rack. The extraneous matter which has clogged the crossover may be then cleared away, and a new unit readily mounted in operative position.

The invention thus provides an extremely simple and conveniently replaceable crossover unit for bridging the interrupted rails of crossing tracks, with the unit readily shifted to position for bridging either one of the crossing rails and clearing the side of said rail along which the flanges of wheels of rolling stock are adapted to move, and the unit being positively shifted to operative position through its impingement by the flanges of the approaching wheels.

I claim:

1. A crossover for adjacent rails of closing tracks which are each interrupted in alinementwith the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally spaced from the interruptions in both of the crossing rails, and actuating elements on the movable rail section and extending along the inner sides of the respective rails and adapted for impingement by flanges of wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails with the flanges of said wheels engaging the inner side of the rail which is in use, said actuating elements being adapted to shift the movable rail section so that it bridges the interruption in therail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same timeclears' the inner side of the bridged rail for unobstructed passage of the flanges of the wheels along said bridged rail, and said actuating elements having a releasable engagement with the rails for removably securing the crossoverin place, with said releasable engagement adapted. forready release simply by manipulating the actuating elements and without otherwise disturbing the structure of the adj accnt rails.

2. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally spaced from the interruptions in both of the crossing rails, and bowed springs crossing one another and fixed medially of their concave surfaces tothe movable rail section and extending along and engagingat their endsthe inner sides of the respective rails and adapted for impingement by flanges of wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails with the flanges of said wheels engaging the inner side of the rail which is in use, whereby the said wheel flanges are adapted to compress the spring at the inner side of the rail which is in use in order to shift the movable'rail section so that it bridges-the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time-clears the inner side of the bridged rail for unobstructed'passage of the flanges of thewheels along said bridged rail.

3. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of theouter rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally spaced from the interruptions in both of the cross rails, actuating means adapted for impingement by wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of" the rails, said actuating means being adapted to shiftthe movable-rail sectionso that it bridges the interruption inthe rail along which the.

wheels are approaching'and at the same time clears the inner side of the bridgedrail, and means for securing the movable rail section in place against accidental displacement, said securing means being automatically releasable in the event'of the actuating means becoming clogged against movement and upon impingement of the non-movable actuating means by the said wheels;

4. A crossover for adjacent rails'of crossing tracks which rails'each include a later ally spaced guide defining a groove extending along the inner side oftthe rail, with each of said rails interrupted in alinement with the groove of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally positioned at the junction of the grooves of the: rails and spaced. from the interruptions in both of. thecrossing rails, and actuating means for the movable rail section confined in the respective railgrooves and adapted for impingement by the flanges of wheels of rolling. stock approaching along either of the rails with the flanges of said wheels received in the groove of the rail which is in use, said actuating means being adapted to shift the movable rail section so that it bridges the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clears thegroove of the bridged rail for unobstructed passage of the flanges of a the wheels along said groove of the bridged rail.

5. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks, which rails each include a later ally spaced guide defining a groove extending along the inner side of the rail, with each of said rails interrupted in alinement with the groove of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally positioned at the junction of' the grooves of the rails and spaced from the interruptions in both of the crossing rails, and bowed'spri-ngs crossing one another and fixed medially of their concave surfaces to the movable rail section and :rtending along the respective rail grooves and engaging at their ends the inner sides of the respective rails with the medially bowed portions of said springs engaging the guides of the respective rails, said springs being'adapted for impingement by the flanges of Wheels ofrolling stock approaching along either of the rails with the flanges of said wheels received in the groove of the rail which is in use, whereby the said wheel flanges are adapted to compress the spring in the groove of the rail which is in use'in order to shift the movable rail section so that it bridges the interruption" in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time transversely clears the groove of said bridged rial for'unobstructed' passage of the flanges of the wheels along'said groove'of the bridged rail.

6. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of'the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and springmeans normally spacing-the movable rail section from the interruption in both of the crossing rails, said spring means being adapted for engagement by thewheels of'rolling stock approaching along either ofthe rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to a position bridging the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clearing the inner side of the bridged rail.

7. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and spring means normally spacing the movable rail section fromthe interruption in both ofithe crossing rails, themovable rail section being adapted for horizontal shifting in either of angularly disposed directions so as to bridge the interruption in either of said rails and at the same time clear the inner side of the bridged rail, and the spring means being adapted for engagement by the wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to its position bridging the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approachin 8. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and spring means normally spacing the movable rail section from the interruption in both oi the crossing rails said spring means being adapted for engagement by the flanges of wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to a position bridging the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clearing the inner side of the bridge rail.

9. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and spring means extending along the inner sides of the respective rails and normally spacing the movable rail section from the interruption in both of the crossing rails, said spring means being adapted for engagement by the flanges of wheels of rolling stock approaching along either ot the rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to a position bridging the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are apnroaching and at the same time clearing the inner side of the bridge rail.

10. Acrossover for adj acentrails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail sec" tion normally spaced from the interruptions in both of the crossing rails, actuating means adapted for impingement by wheels of rolling stocl: approaching along either of the rails, said actuating means being adapted to shift the movable rail section so that it bridges the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clears the inner side of the bridged rail, and a releasable engagement for the actuating means adapted to removably secure the crossover in place, with said releasable engagement adapted for ready release simply by manipulating the actuating means and without otherwise disturbing the structure oi the adjacent rails.

11. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and spring means normally spacing the movable rail section from the interruption in both of the crossing rails, said spring means being adapted for engagen'ient by the wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to a position bridging the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clearing the inner side of the bricged rail, and a releasable engagement for the spring means adapted to removably secure the crossover in place, with said releasable engagement adapted for ready release simply by manipulating the spring means and without otherwise disturbing the structure of the adjacent rails.

12. iii crossover for adjacent rails of cross ins tracks which are each interrupted in ,hneinent with the inner side of the other l: said crossover comprising a movable rail ection normally spaced from the interrupions in both of the crossing rails actuating .ieans adapted for impingement by wheels of re ling stock approaching along either of the rails said actuating means being adapted to shift the movable rail section so that it bridges the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clears the inner side of the bridged rail and elements on the actuating means adapted for hooked engagement with the rails for removably securing the crossover in place.

13. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and spring means normally spacing the movable rail section from the interruption in both of the crossing rails, saie spring means being adapted for engagement by the wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to a position bridging the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clearing the inner side of the bridged rail, the spring means being adapted for hooked eng gement with the rails for removably securing the crossover in place.

14. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section and spring means normally spacing the movable rail section from the interruption in both of the crossing rails, said spring means being adapted for engagen'ient by the wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails so as to retract said spring means for shifting the movable rail section to a for unobstructed passage of the flanges of the position bridging the interruption in the wheels along said bridged rail.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clearing the inner side of the bridged rail, the spring means having means for securing the movable rail section in place against accidental displacement, With said securing means adapted for automatic release in the event of the spring means becoming clogged against retraction and upon engagement of the non-retractable spring means by the said wheels.

15. A crossover for adjacent rails of crossing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally spaced from the interruption in both of the crossing rails and bowed springs crossing one another and fixed me dially of their concave surfaces to the movable rail section and extending along and engaging at their ends the inner sides of the respective rails and adapted for impingement by flanges of wheels of rolling stock approaching along either of the rails with the flanges of said wheels engaging the inner side of the rail which is in use, whereby the said wheel flanges are adapted to compress the spring at the inner side of the rail which is in use in order to shift the movable rail section so that it bridges the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clears the inner side of the bridged rail the springs being positioned with relation to the movable rail section for unobstructed passage of the flanges of the wheels along said bridged rail.

16. A crossover for adjacent rails of cross ing tracks which are each interrupted in alinement with the inner side of the other rail; said crossover comprising a movable rail section normally spaced from the interruptions in both of the crossing rails, and bowed springs crossing one another and fixed medially of their concave surfaces to the movable rail section and extending along and engaging at their ends the inner sides of the respective rails and adapted for impingement by flanges of wheels of 'rollingstock approaching along either of the rails with the flanges of said wheels engaging the inner side of the rail which is in use, whereby the said wheel flanges are adapted to compress the spring at the inner side of the rail which is in use in order to shift the movable rail sections so that it bridges the interruption in the rail along which the wheels are approaching and at the same time clears the inner side of the bridged rail, the springs being recessed alongside the movable rail section so that with the movable rail section bridging one of the rails the said recess in the spring which ext-ends along the other rail alines with the inner side of the bridged rail signature.

SIDNEY R. DEACON. 

